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(Page 2 of 4) Dragon Blood Chronicles: Chapter 1 Part D by Benjamin Soto The long white beard that extended only from the chin was the only hair left on the old man as the sun glistened upon his bald head. The elder abbot waddled his way over to Seth making sure not to trip over his long blue robe; on his face the sincere look of a four-year-old child.
Years of servitude caused Seth to kneel before the elder monk. The abbot placed his right hand of wrinkled skin on Seth's head to feel the greasiness of hair not washed in ages. He could hear the warrior exhale deeply with a sigh and from that sigh the elder monk could feel the pain within the tortured soul.
In the space between heartbeats Seth understood the touch and knew it was okay to stand. "Abbot. I am honored that you have come to see me." Seth nodded his head in eager appreciation.
"What is it that brings you here?" The abbot's voice was shaky with age.
"I seek something Abbot."
"And what is it that you seek?"
"I seek the flower of enlightenment."
The emotionless face of the abbot stayed as it was. Nothing surprised the monk. "Tell me. Where is it that you have learned of such a thing?"
"Someone told me of it. It was read to me in the market place when I was wandering by. I asked the man telling of the flower more questions and he told me the flower could bring me great peace. So that is why I search for it, Abbot."
The master sighed and waddled a bit closer to the warrior. "Ask yourself something for me. Is it the flower you seek, or peace itself? And how would a flower bring about peace? And if you are so determined as you appear to be, then I tell you the flower sits in this garden and you need only find it. You can stay as long as you wish, but know if you step one foot from the garden and wish to stay in this place any longer you must do the work of the monks." And with those words the abbot slowly made his way out of the garden in the direction from which he came.
"Wait." Seth called out.
The abbot turned to face the warrior again.
"Which flower is it?"
"You tell me." And soon enough the abbot was gone.
Seth sat down upon the grass and took the sword from his hip letting it rest near him. He looked upon all the flowers that surrounded him immediately attempting to ascertain which flower held the peace he sought. Each flower was unique yet all of them seemed the same. The different colored petals and sweet aroma soothed and confused Seth at the same time.
Why must this old fool speak in riddles? The thought angered Seth as he looked about the garden, but then recalled lessons of patience and let go of the useless emotion. Seth sat trying not to think but only able to think.
Time passed and morning was reborn. Still, the mystery of the flower lived as Seth walked about the garden looking and feeling the soft petals thinking that maybe something would click, and that an answer would fall into his lap.
There was nothing. Thirst, hunger, and nothing.
Frustration, impatience, confusion, turmoil, the past, things done wrong, hatred, fear, loneliness, isolation, sadness, regret, and still nothing.
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